UKBA preventing illegal working

Preventing illegal working

This section explains the need to prevent illegal migrant working, the penalties for employing migrants who are not entitled to work in the UK, and how employers can ensure that they employ only legitimate workers.

Illegal working hurts good business, undercuts legal workers and creates illegal profits. It also puts illegal workers themselves at great risk. By working together with employers, we can 'level the playing field' and tackle the exploitation of vulnerable migrants.

Unless an employer checks that all prospective employees have the right to work in the UK, it risks breaking the law and could receive a substantial fine.

The overwhelming majority of employers and migrants to the UK are law-abiding and want to comply with their legal obligations. We are keen to support them and make this as simple as possible.